An attempt to help explain the mysteries and magic that are part and parcel of 'probation'.

Monday, 7 August 2017

Guest Blog 65

Every few years we get an enthusiastic group of individuals with brightly coloured rosettes stapled to their chests promising change and a better, brighter future. My reply is always the same. I do not register to vote, and until there is an option to vote for none of the above, that will not change, adding nobody was interested in my opinion when I was in prison, why are you interested now? The problem is, being a registered sex offender, nobody is interested in my opinion anyway. Every waking moment clearly has to be spent finding ways to commit further offences. Well, that seems to be the popular opinion amongst the upstanding members of society I occasionally brush shoulders with, although not whilst wearing my "jim'll fix it" badge or my Fred West t-shirt.I was an infrequent visitor to the Prisonuk blog. At no point reading any of the posts did I have to concern myself with what his conviction was. Whether guilty or innocent he had paid his debt to society. He had served his sentence and was now spending time in a constructive manner trying to show that the public perception of prisons full of fifty two inch flat screen TV's, Xbox ones and take away's is a lot further from reality than the media and the government had worked so hard installing as the truth.

Penny's "take" on the matter seems to be based on a few facts padded out with the usual self-vindicating bullshit that is far too common. To start with the hierarchy which does exist to some extent quickly goes out of the window depending who you are stood talking to at any given time. Or anyone being transferred to the wing from the main house blocks, finding themselves outnumbered, would never express the views they would have had before arriving. Penny also seems to omit his/her own crime/crimes. If Alex's opinion is now null and void simply because of a crime he has served his time for, it's only fair for Penny to come under the same scrutiny?

I have had an uphill battle since my release. Organisations and charities seem happy to advertise the fact they will offer assistance of various kinds until you have to explain convictions and restrictions. A recent example is with the local council, they have a partnership with a business start-up programme. Initially happy to help someone who had a military background despite the conviction, after a phone call where I explained everything regarding the conviction, they fell silent. Attending the job centre one day, they read out a message left on the system that after consulting with the local constabulary and reviewing my restrictions, they would be unable to offer any kind of assistance at this time, but wished me luck in any future ventures. This follows my time on a Work Programme where I was only able to be seen by one advisor, who told me they were specially trained to "deal" with people like me. In two years, the only advice they could offer me was to get a bank loan and start my own business.

I think I am luckier than most in my circumstances, after my probation and public protection officers actually making an effort to get to know me. With their support, I have a large part of my life back. My children stay over at the weekends and on holidays, supervised by, well.... me, their dad. I have a review and visit from the Police each year. The PPU are happy for me to start my own business should I ever get the help to do so. But to the majority I am not a dad, a veteran. not even a person, just a registered sex offender. Trust me when I say this, there are PEOPLE behind that label.Anon

5 comments:

I have read some of the contributions by Alex Cavendish and to be told about his offences has no relevance to his views about the state of the prison system and ideas for penal reform. Let what he says stand or fall on the merits of his analysis and arguments. If not, then don't watch any films by Roman Polanski – a sex offender, don't read any books by Arthur Koestler – a serial rapist (should the Koestler Awards be dropped by the prison service?), don't listen to any music by Wagner – an anti-Semite who hated Jews. Oh and throw away any records by Glitter and maybe even the Who. And there was a time, not so long ago, when being homosexual was not an attribute that went down well in the prison system.

Alternatively, have confidence in your critical faculties and judge on content. Alex Cavendish, unlike those undercover policemen, was not seeking to sleep with you, he was not seeking your approval – he was simply expressing opinions that turned out to make a lot of sense – perhaps too much sense for his detractors.

Penny Mellor who was screaming blue murder about Alex's conviction has form for stalking and harassment herself as a quick Google search has revealed. Clearly she has failed to learn a single lesson herself about her own criminal behaviour yet has the gall to get hysterical about others alleged behaviour.

It's My Blog

Welcome to the wonderful world of probation! These are the personal thoughts of an ordinary probation officer struggling to come to terms with constant change, whilst trying to do a useful job for society. Sadly, change is so often obviously not progress. I am fully aware that my views do not represent official policy of government, my Service or possibly anyone else - but hey - it's my blog!

ATV 1962 Windsor Davies

About Me

A grumpy, disillusioned, CQSW trained, generic, main grade probation officer based in a small English town. All my contemporaries have either left, retired or been promoted. Newer colleagues simply don't understand the journey I've been on from advise, assist and befriend. (If there is anyone of similar name in the NAPO handbook, it's not me).